Weather Forecast

Trudy Kareus, state executive director of the Colorado Farm Service Agency (FSA), reminds eligible ranchers and livestock producers who had livestock losses or grazing losses during the 2011 crop year that the deadline for applying for benefits under the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) and the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP) is Jan. 30, 2012.

“It is imperative that producer’s meet the deadline for disaster assistance as there are no late file provisions for LFP and ELAP,” said Kareus. “To insure a smooth application process, producers should have all required supporting documentation with them at the time they apply for benefits,” she said.

Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP):

ELAP provides emergency assistance to eligible producers of livestock, honeybees and farm-raised fish who have losses due to disease, adverse weather or other conditions, including losses due to blizzards and wildfires that occurred before Oct. 1. ELAP assistance is for losses not covered under other disaster assistance programs established by the 2008 Farm Bill.

Producers who experienced livestock death losses must file a notice of loss 30 days after the loss is apparent, but no later than Dec. 29. Producers who suffered livestock grazing and feed losses must have filed a notice of loss no later than Oct. 31 and have until Jan. 30, 2012, to submit an application for payment for livestock death losses and livestock grazing and feed losses.

Program Requirements:

In order to qualify for LFP and ELAP, the applicant must have purchased insurance coverage through FSA’s Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) or the Pasture, Rangeland and Forage Insurance-Rainfall Index for Grazing (PRF-RI) program offered through the Risk Management Agency (RMA).

Producers who meet the requirements of a socially disadvantaged, limited resource or beginning farmer or rancher do not have to meet the Risk Management Purchase Requirement (RMPR).

Program applicants should note certain payment limitation and adjusted gross income eligibility requirements must be met in order to qualify for LFP and ELAP.

For more information on disaster program eligibility requirements contact Phillips County FSA office at 854-2812 or visit www.fsa.usda.gov/sure.